Folding baby carriage



June 20, 1950 F. NEMEc FOLDING BABY CARRIAGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May7, 1947 N VEN T08 F/PANT/jE/c NEMEC 3 m, 4/44! a k @044 H T TOEMEX June20, 1950 F. NE/MEC 2,511,990

FOLDING BABY CARRIAGE Filed May 7, 1947 :s Sheets-Sheet 2 Y well-foxFmuwsen Nanec BY 62m v H TTORNEYJ June 20, 1950 F. NEMEC U 2,511,990

FOLDING BABY CARRIAGE 7 Filed May 7, 1947 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 nun/rareTeAA/r/sE/r /YEVMEC @4224, 72041177771? Patented June 20, 1950 UNITEDFOLDING BABY CARRIAGE Frantisek Nmec, Prague, Czechoslovakia ApplicationMay 7, 1947, Serial No. 746,537 In Czechoslovakia December 1, 1945Section '1, Public Law 690, August s, 1946 Patent expires December 1,1965 13 Claims.

This invention relates to a baby carriage com.- prising a four-wheeledundercarriage and a framework of bent tubing which supports a pliablebody, suitably of textile fabric for accommodating the baby.

Many known baby carriages have the disadvantage of considerable bulkwhich renders their conveyanceby rail or road difficult and oftenprohibitive. The delivery from the manufacturer to the dealer is alsofrequently difficult and expensive since the carrying capacity of therailway or road vehicle is insufficiently utilized.

Folding baby carriages have already been suggested'and existing typesdiffer considerably in form from the ordinary non-folding carriagessince the possibility of folding is attained by ar bitrary and even thenincompletely successful Variations in the construction. Many existingtypes form bulky and inconvenient packages when folded althoughfrequently only two wheels are provided. In other types a separate bagis required to contain the dismantled part; evenv so one or two of thecomponents are left surplus after the packing and have to be employed asa walking stick or sticks.

By contrast the present invention provides a foldin baby carriage ofentirely normal form with four running wheels, suitably of equal size,which does not differ in outward appearance from any ordinarynon-folding baby carriage. This retention of the customary externalappearance is an important selling point and constitutes the principalfeature of the invention which therefore involves quite novel means forobtaining a folding construction, consisting essentially in a noveldesign of the principal components, in particular of the undercarriageand of the framework;

The invention contemplates particularly the use of a tubular frameworkcomprising two essentially identical U-shaped end members, two W-shapedcentral members and if desired two extension tubes; and. anunder-carriage comprising essentially two tubular axles to the ends ofwhich the running wheels are detachably fixed said axles carrying twodetachable longitudinal bearers with springs supporting the W-shapedcentral members of the framework. This forms a simple structure whichcan be easily dismantled and folded by the provision of suitablequick-release connecting joints and which when folded forms a flatpackage more convenient as hand luggage than other existing types, ofpleasing external appearance,. and

shape and size. A further advantage is the possibility of converting thebaby carriage from a push-chair into a perambulator by the addition of asmall number of supplementary parts.

In the push-chair form the seat for the occupant preferably consists oftwo layers of textile fabric constituting a bag into which thedismantled parts of the framework can be packed for carrying, thus.forming a fiat package with a carrying handle formed by one or moremembers of the framework. Since the total weight of the baby carriage isrelatively low-about 7 lbs. for the push-chair arrangement or 17 .lbs.for the perambulatorit is easily carried;

The perambulator arrangement also folds flat and can be conveyed by railor road without difficulty.

Suitable design of the component parts of the p ush-chair baby carriageenables its easy transformation into a. lounging chair. Thus the childI031]. be brought to a playground in the baby carriage and the person incharge may then convert the carriage into a chair, obviating thenecessity for bringing a separate seat.

The wheels of the carriage are easily detachable and can be replaced byrockers or runners for converting the carriage into a cradle or arocking chair or even into a sleigh or sled for winter use.

Dismantling and re-assembling of the baby carriage are easily performedby mechanicallyunskilled persons such as are usually entrusted withthecare of young children.

By way of example some embodiments of the invention are illustrated onthe accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a. diagrammatic elevation of a pushchair baby carriage withthe near wheels removed.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the baby carriage.

Figure 3 is a partial plan view thereof.

Figure 4 shows in longitudinal section a joint connection for two tubesmeeting at an oblique angle.

Figure 5 shows in longitudinal section .a joint connection for twoaligned tubes.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the front seatsupport.

Figure 7 is a partial section of the foot-rest.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section, Figure 9 a. plan, and Figure 10 apartly sectional side elevation (along X-X of Fig. 8) of a wheel andmudguard attachment.

Figure 11 shows a modified wheel attachment more nearly resembling anordinary handbag in without mudguard,

Figure 12 shows conversion of the push-chair arrangement into a loungingchair.

Figure 13 is a plan, and Figure 1% an enlarged side view of a bow-shapedrocker, skid or sleigh runner, in section.

Figure 15 is an elevation and Figu e plan view of the push-chair baby'carria folded.

Figure 17 is a side elevation of the perambulator arrangement.

Figures 18, 19 and 20 show details of ambulator arrangement.

The push-chair arrangement according to Figs. 1 and 2, comprises afour-wheeled undercarriage and a tubular body. The wheels i are fittedon axle tubes 2 carrying two longitudinal bearers 3 on which are springs4 supporting two W-shaped side frames 5. At one end the side tilesuitably modified for application to parts meeting at right angles.

For tubes meeting in line the connection can be made as shown in Fig. 5where the end of one tube, in this case the extension tube 1, isprovided with a shoulder and fitted with an internal leaf spring l9having at its free end a stud 29 projecting into a hole in the secondtube, in the particular case the handlebar 8. The tip of the stud 20 isbevelled in such manner that when the tube 8 is pushed over the end ofthe tube 1 the stud is pressed down and afterwards pressed out by thespring into the hole in the frames 5 are continued by a tubular"back-rest.

3 and at the other end by straight extension tubes 1 to which a U-shapedhandlebar 8 is attached. The parts (i and 8 are essentially similar. Thecross-piece of the back-rest 6 is passed through the endloop of a fabricstrip 9 the other end of which is attached to a bow, is to the sideframes -5 as shown in Fig. 6. The back-rest B carries a table flap H ona. supporting bar l2. The latter with the table flap can also beattached to the extension tubes 1 wh n it can serve as a luggagecarrier. 7

A foot-rest i3 is movably fitted between the ends of the longitudinalbearers 3. In the position shown by full lines in Fig. 1 the short armof the foot-rest l3 abuts from below against the.

Wheel axle 2 in such a manner that the longer arm serves as a convenientsupport for the feet of the occupant seated on the fabric strip whichassumes the shape shown by full lines in Fig. l.- If ,the how it isfitted at the middle of the W-shaped side frames 5, as shown by dottedlines in Fig. 1, the fabric strip t assumes the shape shown by thedotted lines in Fig. 1 which is suitable for sitting upright and can bemade more comfortable by attaching side-straps l t (Fig. 2) at the edgesof the upper part of the fabric. strip Swhich straps can be tightened todraw this partof the fabric strip 9 into the form of a backrestidentifiable by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. In this position of the seat9 the foot-rest i3 is turned into the position shown by the dotted.lines in Fig. 1, its longer arm abutting against the rear axle tube 2.

The connection of the separate members of the framework. can be effectedin any suitable manner provided the earlier mentioned requirements areobserved. a g a Figure d shows a specimen connection for tubular membersmeeting at an oblique angle, such as the joint between the parts [2 andt. The tube 12 or its spigot i5 is fitted with a skew pin 15' theprojecting end of which has two grooves I? the sides of each of whichare at right angles in such manner that they fit snugly against thesides of the slot 18 in the other tube 6'. When making the connectionthe tube ii is first approached to the tube 6 at such an angle that thepin" [6 can freely enter the slot 18, and then the tube I2 is moved intothe position shown by Fig. 4 where its end is pressed firmly against theside of the tube 6 while the grooves ll of the pin [8 are locked againsto posite edges of the slot is producing a rigid connection which iseasily broken by reversing the process. This method of attachment can bepressed down by hand and the tube 8 drawn off,

the rounded tip of the stud 28 again facilitating release of theconnection.

The table fiap I! is suitably attached to the supporting bar 12 by ascrew 2| having a loose but preferably not detachable nut afterreleasing which the table can be mcvedinto the position shown by thedotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3 thus affording increased space for alarger or more heavily-dressed occupant.

The foot-rest I3 is attached at each end to the longitudinal bearers 3by pins 22 (Fig. 7) fitting into cylindrical sockets 23 in the,foot-rest l3 and pressed outward, by springs 2 The pins 22 have studs 25working in slots of the foot-rest it. By pressure on these studs thepins 22 can be released from their sockets in the bearers 3 to enableremoval of the foot-rest 13. In assembling the carriage this procedureis reversed.

The bow is carrying the front end of the fabric strip 9 is U-shaped(Fig. 6) with ends bent outward and downward to fit into correspondingholes in the side frames 5 in the positions shown by full lines(recumbent) and dotted lines (seated) in Fig. 1.

The wheels I are attached by bearing plugs (not shown) to thecorresponding axle pins 26 (Figs. 8-10.) The axle pin 25 fits into thestepped end of the axle tube 2 which is provided with a collar 2?.having eyes 28 on either side through which are passed wires 29 carryingmudguards to (Fig. 8) on their outer ends. The

other ends of these wires 29, after passing Y through the eyes 28, arebent downward as shown in Fig. 9. The collar 2'] and axle pin 26 aresecured to the end of the axle tube 2 by a pin3 projecting from thebearer 3 that rests on the axle tube 2. The bearer 3 is connected to theaxle tube 2 by a skew bolt It} as already described in connection withFig. 4. When assembling, the collars '21 with the wires 29 and mudguards36 are first pushed over the ends of the axles 2 after which the wheelsI are pushed on and finally the bearers 3 are attached with the springs4 and the side frames 5. The bearers 3 are first applied obliquely toenable the bolts 15 to be pushed perpendicularly into the correspondingholes of the axle-tubes 2 and then swung aside to enable the pins -3toengage the holes of the collar 21, the axle 2 and axle-pin 25. Whenall wheels are attached in this manner and both bearers 3- have beenfitted in place the foot-rest i3 is attached between the ends of thebearers 3 thus locking the framework in position. It now remains toattach the backrest 6 with the seat 9 and the handlebar 8 with theextension tubes 1 whereupon the push-chair is completely assembled. Theextension tubes I are not required if the childpushes the carriageitself and, e. g... uses it as a dolls perambulator. I

the mudguards 30 are not required the.

wheels I and bearers 3 can be attached to the axles 2 in the mannershown in Fig. 11. In this case the bearers 3 are only equipped with askew bolt 15 which in the working position engages both the axle tube 2and the extended axle pin 26 of the wheel I and thus assures a firmconnection between the three components 2,3, and I -..To convert the.baby carriage into a wheeled chair (Fig. 12) the back rest 6 is fittedinto the side frames 5 in. the opposite manner to that shown in Fig. 1.andthe handlebar 8 is correspondingly fitted into the other ends of theside frames v5 after drawing off the hem pocket of the fabric seat 9from the bow I0. I a The. resulting chair can be converted into arocking-chair, or the original baby carriage transformed into a cradleor sleigh, by removing the wheels I and substituting bow-shaped runnersor rockers 3| according to Figs. 13 and 14. Each of these runners 3| isprovided with two rightangled bent tubes 32 the horizontal arms of whichare pushed into the ends of the axle tubes 2 andlocked there in the samemanner as the axle pins 26 of the wheels I. If it is required to conveythe baby carriage by road or by rail or to pack it at home, the twoU-shaped ends 6 and 8 are fittedinto each other in the reverse way asshown by Fig. 15.. The fabric seat 9 is threaded at the endfreed bywith-. drawing thebow H] or at the other end, over the back-rest 6 andattached to the handlebar 8 by the leather straps M, or vice versa. Thefabric seat 9 is suitably made of two layers sewn together in the formof a sack or bag. All remaining parts of the baby carriage are nowplaced in this bag and the open end of the latter secured by a flap 33.An expanding pocket 34 can suitably be sewn underneath this flap on thefabric seat 9 to accommodate linen, clothing, etc.

The flap 33 is preferably made to close both the open end of the bagformed by the fabric seat 9 and of this pocket 34. The cross-piece ofthe tubular handlebar 8 serves as a convenient handle'for carrying thefolded baby carriage which forms as shown in Figs. 15 and 16 a compact,flat and convenient package. In this form the baby carriage can also bedelivered by the manufacturer to the retailer Or wholesaler making fulluse of the available loading space.

By the addition of a few supplementary parts the push-chair describedabove can easily be converted into an ordinary perambulator. Theframework l4 remains the same as also the tubular members 5, 1, and 8.Instead of the backrest 6 two bent tubes 35 are used carrying on theirhorizontal arms a body 336 closed at sides, bottom and ends. The tubularmembers 35 are pushed at one end into the side frames 5 while at theother end they are provided with skew bolts such as those described inconnection with Fig. 4 and there denoted by Is for locking them to thetubes I suitably in the same holes as those used in assembling thepush-chair for attaching the table flap l I, I2 in the position showndotted in Fig. 1. The body 36 is preferably of some close fabricprovided on its two free longitudinal edges with strap loops 3'! ofreinforced material through which the tubes 35 are passed. The frontends 35' of these tubes are bowed out to enable the perambulator to becarried by them when needed.

The hood frame is formed by the original backrest 6 passed through theloops 38 of a hood covering 39. To give it the required arched shapetheihood is stiffened with a wire rim 40 of vU- shape with ends bentupwards and outwards. The top of the hood 39 is provided inside with adoubling through which the wire 40 is passed stretching the top of thehood tight by means of its bowed arms. The lower edge of the top of thehood is in-turned (Fig. 20) and its free seam attached to the inner sideof the hood, e. g., by press-studs forming a pocket enclosing thecross-piece of thewire 45. .Thefree ends of the wire 4-8 are fitted intocorresponding holes in the tubular bow 5. The hood 39 is thus supportedin front by the horizontal arms of the tubular members 35 and held inplace by the arms 4| with pins 52 (Fig. 19), entering into holes in thetubular members 35. On the other end of each arm M is a pin d3 withhead4d and thumb-nut 5. The pin. Q3 fits into holes in the bow 6. Bytightening the nuts 45 the completev hood can be held in the positionshown by full lines in Fig. 17. By slacking back the nuts &5 the hoodcan be folded down e. g. into the position shown in the figure by dottedlines and re-locked by tightening the nuts or it may be completelyremoved.

When the hood and the handlebar 8 are removed the sides of theperambulator formed bythe parts 3, t, 5, l and 35, can be folded inwardsover each other giving the perambulator a suitably fiat shape forconveyance... The baby carriage when folded in this fashion can beeasily carried by the central bows of the side members 5. The othermembers, via, the handlebar 8 and bow 5 with the hood 39 can be packedinsidethe perambulator body 33 after removing the stiffening wire 2-9.In addition to the advantages already described the baby carriageaccording to the present invention has the further advantage that allfabric parts e. g. the seat 9,'the body 35, and the hood 33, can easilybe removedfor cleaning or renewal.

The invention is not restricted to the examples herein described andillustrated but may be modified in many ways, particularly 'in thedetails such as the manner of attachment or shape of the componentparts.

I claim:

1. A foldin baby carriage having a chassis comprising a pair of spacedaxle tubes, vehicle supporting members removably mounted on each end ofsaid tubes, pins removably securing said members in position on saidaxle tubes, a pair of spaced longitudinal chassis members removablymounted on said axle tubes, a frame work of bent tubing, said frameworkcomprising two W-shaped tubular side frame members and two essentiallysimilar U-shaped tubular end frame members, said end frame members beingremovably secured to said side frame members, springs interposed betweensaid side frame members and respective chassis members, and a flexiblefabric seat supported by said framework.

2. A folding baby carriage according to claim 1, wherein said seatcomprises two layers of fabric joined together in the shape of a bag toreceive the various disassembled parts of said carriage, said bag havingat its open end a doubled loop to receive one of said U-shaped endmembers, and means to removably secured said U-shaped end memberstogether whereby one of said U-shaped members may form a handle for saidbag.

3. A foldin baby carriage according to claim 1, wherein said vehiclesupporting members comprise wheels, one wheel being removably secured toeach end of each of said axle members.

4. In a baby "carriage according to claim 3, a

mudguard for each wheel, and a common means for removably attaching eachwheel andits'respective mudguard and respective axle end together and-toone of said chassis members.

'5. A baby carriage according to claim 1 wherein the side frame membersare each provided with a pluralityof longitudinally spaced holes, adetachable cross-bar adapted to be-selectively inserted into said holesand on which one'end of said fabric seat is mounted,'adjustable strapssecured to said fabric seat and adapted to'coact with one of said endmembers to position said seat, whereby by altering the position of saidcross-bar and adjusting said side straps the fabric seat can be adaptedas required for a seated or recumbent position of the occupant.

6. In a baby carriage according to claim 1, a detachable foot-restcarried by and spacing said longitudinal chassis members,.said foot-restbeing adjustable to provide support for either a seated or a recumbentoccupant.

7. In a baby carriage according to claim 1, connecting means forremovably'connecting the ends of said U-shaped end members to oppositeends of said side frame members to form a chair, said fabric seat havingloops at its opposite ends through which the cross-bars of the said U-shaped members are passed.

8. In a, baby carriage according to claim 1, wherein said vehiclesupporting members comprise bow-shaped runners, and clips to retain saidrunners in place on said axle tubes.

9. In a baby carriage according to claim 1, a pair of additionallongitudinally extending tubular members, one end of each of saidadditional members being removably attached to one end of a respectiveside frame-member and the other ends being removably attached to one ofsaid U-shaped end members, and a flexible fabric body removably securedto said additional tubular members.

'10. In a baby carriage according to claim 9, characterized in that saidfabric body is provided at its upper longitudinal edges with reinforcedfabric "loops to embrace said tubular members whereby" said body may bedetachably fixed to said members.

11. In a baby carriage according to claim 10,12. removable hoodcomprising one of the tubular U-shaped end members having openingstherein, a fabric covering having loops, U-shaped wires having arms bentoutwards and inserted with their free ends into the correspondingopenings in said U-shaped end members and passing through the loops insaid covering to maintain said covering in a predeterminedrshape.

12. In a baby'carriage according to claim 11,8. pivotal connectionbetween one end of eachvoi said arms and said additional tubularmembers, and bolts detachably securing the other endof said arms to thelower portions of the U-shaped ends whereby by releasing said bolts saidarms may be swung to swing the hood to difierent positions.

13. A baby carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that saidtubular members are secured together by a detachable connection, saidconnection comprising a skew-bolt firmly held in one of said members andhavinga portion extending outward therefrom, said outward extendingportion having a pair of spaced annular grooves, said other tubularmember having an elongated slotin its wall in which said skew bolt isinserted and swung to cause said grooves to engage the wall of said tubeat opposite ends of the slot therein. v v

FRANTISEK NEMEC.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in'the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,432,489 Schultheis Dec. 9, 1947FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 47,857 France "Aug. 14, 1937

